The sun will set later now that Daylight Saving Time has begun — but losing an hour of sleep can also leave drivers feeling drowsy.

To combat that, AAA is reminding motorists to stay alert and get a good night’s rest before hitting the road.

“Drinking caffeine is only going to provide a temporary boost of energy. I know a lot of us run on coffee in the morning, but just remember that sleep is what’s most effective. You also don’t want to rely on any tricks, like playing loud music or blasting the AC in your face to keep yourself awake,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast.

According to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, between 2021 and 2025 there were more than 6,200 crashes in the state involving a driver who was asleep or fatigued.

AAA’s other safety tips include traveling with an alert passenger whenever possible, avoiding distractions, never driving impaired, and always buckling up.